Book Reviews

Reviewed by Sarah Ell

Inside Out: Why Leadership Starts with You

Deb Bailey Deb Bailey, $29.99

If you think about the world’s great leaders, you might think they have reached that position of responsibility by having some special skill in telling people what to do. In fact, leadership coach and human resources expert Deb Bailey suggests they have mastered their ‘inner game’, recognising their personal values, strengths and weaknesses, then worked with them to create better results, relationships and team culture. Bailey’s book Inside Out takes a holistic view of all the aspects that make for a good leader. Understanding mindset and motivation can be a powerful tool to help managers and other leaders reach their goals and bring together strong, high-performing teams. Rather than being about the ‘outer game’ of how to manage and lead, this clearly written book encourages readers to get to know themselves. ‘Insight to action’ boxes at the end of each chapter help readers identify positive steps they can take, and practical exercises and diagrams help to increase action and understanding. The first three sections look at: understanding the fears and beliefs which might be holding them back; the bigger picture of what they want to achieve; and recognising their values and personal ‘superpower’ that they can deploy to become a better leader. Finally, it summarises how these aspects can be brought together in a tactical plan to move forward and make meaningful change.

Burnout to Brilliance: Redefining Peak Performance

Jess Stuart Inspire Publishing, $30

Being busy seems to be a badge of honour for many people, in their professional and personal lives. But what toll does rushing around all the time take on our health and wellbeing? And even though we’re constantly doing stuff, how much are we actually achieving? Author and coach Jess Stuart, now living in peace and harmony on Waiheke Island, has been to the burnout end of the spectrum. She starts this book with an account of her own crash and burn as a young executive who tried to have it all, before turning to how peak personal and professional performance can be achieved through cultivating a state of ‘sustainable brilliance’. Stuart looks at how we can work smarter, not harder, overcome feelings of overwhelm and have a clear, more focused mind – ‘the art of slowing down to speed up’. She writes that the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the ‘busyness pandemic’ and made being flexible and resilient in the workplace even more important. If you think you’re far too busy to read a book like this — this book is for you. “If we go beyond busy and beyond burnout,” Stuart writes, “what we find is a field of potential: a pathway to performing at our peak. “When we can achieve this, not only are we happier, but everyone around us benefits too.”